Nail Art Inspired by the Spring 2013 Runways

1.
Runway-Inspired Manicures

We loved the couture prints of this season's fashion shows so much, we made sure to keep them right at our fingertips-literally! Check out these six nail art designs we created based off looks we spotted on the runways of Oscar de la Renta, Rebecca Minkoff, Badgley Mischka, and more, plus, get step-by-step instructions on how to nail each look!

Imaxtree, Courtesy, InStyle.com

2.
Badgley Mischka’s Pale Violet Hue

We loved the contrast created by Badgley Mischka's skin-baring graphic cutout against the airy violet fabric, so we mirrored the effect by pairing a nude half-moon nail with soft purple lacquer. We began by applying two even coats of OPI’s You’re Such a Buda-Pest ($8.50; opi.com for locations), then painted a nude half-moon shape at the base of the cuticle using Deborah Lippmann’s Careless Whisper ($17; deborahlippmann.com). While the polish was still wet, we pressed a rhinestone into the nude lacquer, and followed it with a clear top coat to seal in the 3D gem. The extra bling is optional, although we love the effect made by a single rhinestone placed on the pinky finger.

Imaxtree, Courtesy, InStyle.com

3.
Oscar de la Renta’s Pink Floral Print

Everything was coming up roses at Oscar de la Renta's Spring 2013 show, so this manicures has a botanical touch. We began with a base coat of pale peach, courtesy of Illamasqua’s Purity ($14; sephora.com). Using a combination of the art brush and dotter tool from Sephora’s Nail Art Kit ($10; sephora.com), we picked up a variety of Illamasqua’s Loella ($14; sephora.com) and the Nails Inc lacquers in Brook Street and Shoreditch ($9.50 each; sephora.com) to form the delicate flowers.

Imaxtree, Courtesy, InStyle.com

4.
The Blonds’ Stars and Stripes

Known for their edgy, jewel-encrusted designs, the pink and blue metallic number at The Blonds’ Spring 2013 show had us seeing stars. To begin, we painted two coats of ORLY’s vibrant neon Basket Case ($8; orlybeauty.com), then used the brand’s Instant Artist lacquer in blue ($7; orlybeauty.com) to add stripes. BP's Nail Lacquer in Beach Bonfire ($5; nordstrom.com) was applied at the base of the cuticle, then swept upward to create a slight fade. Gemstones from NPW's Nail Art Party Pack ($15 for the set; urbanoutfitters.com) were pressed into the wet polish as a finishing touch.

Imaxtree, Courtesy, Time Inc Digital Studio, InStyle.com

5.
Rebecca Minkoff’s Ocean-Hued Ombre

Ombre isn’t just for your hair anymore! Perhaps as a nod to the beach days ahead, Rebecca Minkoff included a blue ombre vest in her Spring collection, which inspired us to incorporate that seaside feeling on our fingertips. We used a layer of Butter London’s Hen Party ($14; butterlondon.com) to give nails a pearly finish, and then began the gradient texture by picking up a corner of a makeup sponge and dabbing on Sephora’s powder blue lacquer in Havana Dreams ($9.50; sephora.com). The same method was used to apply Nicole by OPI’s Nothing Kim-Pares to Blue ($8; orlybeauty.com). To finish, we sponged the Impala nail polish in Azul Aviador ($5; mundiaimpala.com) across the tip.

Imaxtree, Courtesy, InStyle.com

6.
Tracy Reese’s Metallic Pistachio

Pantone declared emerald the new color of the year, and an ultra-light pistachio is a great way for the color-shy to ease into the trend. Using this sequined ensemble from Tracy Reese’s catwalk as a muse, we painted on three coats of Essie’s Absolutely Shore ($8; essie.com), then picked up the Color Club Art Club lacquer in Silver ($4; shopcolorclub.com) to apply the staggered lines up the side. Use short, quick strokes, and don’t sweat the small imperfections-the varied dashes add to the appeal.

Imaxtree, Courtesy, InStyle.com

7.
Kate Spade’s Dainty Bows

The gorgeous turquoise and ribbon combo presented at Kate Spade was tied up in our memory, so to translate the effect on our tips, we painted on Anna Sui’s Nail Color N in Teal ($15; urbanoutfitters.com) as a base. Once dry, a crisp white half-moon was layered on top using the Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Nail Lacquer in Feathered ($10; sephora.com). With the black shade of L.A. Colors’ Art Deco nail art polish ($2; cherryculture.com) and a steady hand, we added a bow-shaped accent- you can choose just one digit as a statement nail, or all five.

Runway-Inspired Manicures

We loved the couture prints of this season's fashion shows so much, we made sure to keep them right at our fingertips-literally! Check out these six nail art designs we created based off looks we spotted on the runways of Oscar de la Renta, Rebecca Minkoff, Badgley Mischka, and more, plus, get step-by-step instructions on how to nail each look!